crank-crank-crank it up...

[Stu Merckx Man]

found a nice cheap campagnolo record chainset+crank on ebay.... but can someone just explain to me what all the compact stuff means, and how this relates to the crank length etc etc, and what difference it will make. any info greatful, as i dont want to buy something then realize i should have gone for a different size etc etc... oh and no mentioning of shimano please ...only if it will help answering th above inquiry!

deatails of this particular one are--->

Campagnolo 2006 Record Double 10 Spd Chainset

172.5mm 39/53

- Lightweight alloy fixing bolts and nuts
- Ultra Drive EPS chainrings
- Weight only 653g
- Bottom bracket length required 102mm

greatful
stu

[Jon H]

If it's got 39/53 rings then it's a standard chainset with a 135mm bolt circle.

A compact would have a 110mm bolt circle with something like 34/50 rings.

[Stu Merckx Man]

cheers sean,

and cheers jon,

so is the crank length ok then? or isit a bit small, or a bit big or middle (im really clue less)?
stu

[richv]

Stu compacts are designed to take smaller chainrings then a normal double. So instead of the (now) reasonably standard 53/39 you would find 50/34 chainrings on them.


The idea is to give you access to lower gears (on the smaller chainring) without having to stick an extra chainring on as you do with a triple.

The 53/39 is a standard chainset. The cranks are 172.5mm long. I don't know what you're using at the moment but I would have guessed 170 or 172.5 would be about right for you.

[Stu Merckx Man]

thanks rich

i just checked my crank and its 172.5, its served me well this far so it should be fine!

i think i will go for it. and its only £70...and all my palace prize money put together will cover it by next week!

stu

[Andrew G]

Stu runs Campag (he's a bright lad) already, so switching to a Record chainset should just be a simple switching exercise to upgrade I'd have thought. Easy job to do yourself as well Stu, but you will need a crank puller tool.

[Kevin Rynne]

I'd check if the bb is compatible as the lower end stuff is not compaible with record and Chorus as I recently found out. Also have a look at GBs as they had new record and chorus chainsets really cheap

[Kevin Rynne]

Stu take a look at G. Butlers as they do the same chainset for £79.00. Also they do a carbon chainset for around £120 I think its fsa.

[Stu Merckx Man]

im not sure what bb i have, but there not that expensive if its the wrong one though are they?

i saw the one on GBs thats 2004, the one on ebays 2006, is there any difference in them at all? or are they the same, and just released in different years?
stu

[Sylv]

Stu when's your birthday - a book like this could teach you how to work on your bike yourself and avoid having to pay a shop for it

http://www.amazon.com/Zinn-Art-Road-Bik ... 36-0954815

You might have to buy a few tool but will still save money in the long run. Plus the satifaction of DIY work

[Ian A4size]

Stu- did gb's take all your stuff off the Bianchi?

You will need to know if the Merckx is english or italian threaded BB.

[Stu Merckx Man]

[quote]Stu when's your birthday

[Marek]

Stu, and for information, you may want to know that in 2007 campag bought out a new version of the crankset which has no bottom bracket and saves weight etc. This is why the 2006 stuff is now a lot cheaper as most people are probably wanting to move to the new system.

Cheers

Marek...

[richv]

The old system still works as well as it did last year so if it's cheap take advantage.

[kieran]

stu, what height are you, a 172.5 cranklength is longer than normal. 170 being the most common. Still I have 165 on my track bike, 170 on my road and 175 on my MTB But I prefer the 165 as it's easier to spin, the knees don't get bent so much. I would have gone for 165 on the road bike but I got it secondhand and only came in 170mm.

In the tour supplement with C+ barry hoban (multiple tour de france stage winner in 60s & 70s) didn't see the point in the use of chain rings bigger than 50T.